Are you ready for some misery? The Miami Dolphins and their frustrated fan base know the feeling after wasting this national showcase on Monday Night Football with a 41-14 loss to the New England Patriots. With their fourth consecutive loss at Sun Life Stadium, dating to last season, the Dolphins fell to 2-2 after a promising start away from home. More importantly, they sagged to third place in the rugged AFC East, where they are 1-2 against close competitors and looking up at the Patriots (3-1)

1st down: Seattle's Shaun Alexander, below, is a strong candidate for most valuable player. His Seahawks can clinch the NFC West today with a home victory over the Giants and a St. Louis loss. 2nd down: Two franchises that have been regular playoff participants recently, but aren't likely to make it this season, meet as Green Bay plays at Philadelphia. 3rd down: New England is the two-time defending Super Bowl champion and current AFC East leader, but the Patriots have a big game today at Kansas City.

AFC EAST: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Tis the season to be Brady. The Pats are gearing up for what they hope is another postseason run, but today's trip to face the can-do Titans could serve as more of a tuneup than they'd like. AFC SOUTH: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS The record (11-4) is still impressive, but that's about it. The Colts are running out of time to get their act together, and a visit from the Dolphins and Jason Taylor could make their worries even worse. AFC NORTH: BALTIMORE RAVENS Up next on the Ravens' No-You-Ain't (going to the playoffs)

AFC EAST NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS The Patriots are almost through October, a month with as much significance to them as cheeseburgers to Nicole Richie. On now to November, and yet another march to the postseason. AFC NORTH CINCINNATI BENGALS Will the real division contender please stand up? The Bengals' win over Carolina was impressive. Let's see if they can string two together against Michael Vick and the Falcons. AFC SOUTH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are the most successful celebrity couple since Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

1 It's the Tuck Rule's revenge, as the New England Patriots travel to Oakland to play the Raiders. Patriots fans in the stands should get maximum protection. Oakland is trying to stay close in the AFC West, while New England is in a three-way tie atop the AFC East. 2 The struggling San Diego Chargers have a tough test, hosting the San Francisco 49ers. Chargers have lost two straight and have been let down this season by their defense, ranked 22nd overall. 3 Is it the end of the Emmitt Smith Era in Dallas?

1 New England coach Bill Belichick faces his mentor, Bill Parcells, as the Patriots host Dallas. The Patriots have overcome an inordinate amount of injuries, particularly to their defense, to take a two-game lead in the AFC East. 2 Doug Flutie gets another chance as San Diego visits Denver. Another strong performance by Flutie, even if the Chargers lose, should keep an ineffective Drew Brees on the bench for the remainder of the season. 3 The Minnesota Vikings are reeling with three consecutive losses following a 6-0 start.